Inside Royal Lodge: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s home for 22 years as police search properties after his arrest
The former prince has since relocated to the smaller Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, which is privately funded by King Charles
Police are carrying out searches at homes linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after his shock arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Thames Valley Police confirmed officers were searching properties in both Berkshire, where his previous home of two decades, Royal Lodge, is situated, and Norfolk, where he currently lives on the King’s Sandringham estate.
The former prince was forced to give up his grade II-listed 30-room mansion in January after continued public backlash over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
It was subsequently revealed that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor had not paid rent on the royal property for more than two decades. The beleaguered royal has since been relocated to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, which is privately funded by his brother King Charles.
His arrest, which came on his 66th birthday, is the latest blow for the former prince, who is also being investigated for allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Epstein to have a sexual encounter with him.
With the recent release of Epstein files resulting in more damaging revelations, he has been removed from public life altogether, but there is little hope for the royal family that the controversy will die down.
On 17 October last year, it was announced that he would no longer be known as the Duke of York, while his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson – who still lived with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor at Royal Lodge – lost her duchess title.
According to the tenancy agreement released by the crown estate, which was sent to The Independent, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor paid £1m for the lease on his former Sandringham property, along with at least £7.5m for refurbishments in 2005. He has paid only “one peppercorn (if demanded)” in rent per year since 2003, when he moved in.
Here, we take a closer look at the huge property that the duke had called home for so many years.
Where is the Royal Lodge?
Royal Lodge is located around three miles south of Windsor Castle on the Windsor Estate.
It is part of the crown estate and was previously the Windsor residence of the Queen Mother from 1952 until her death in 2002.
It was built in the mid-1600s and used to house various staff and members of the royal family over the years. It has had several names, including Lower Lodge and Great Lodge, before becoming known as Royal Lodge.
How big is Royal Lodge?
The grounds surrounding Royal Lodge extend to 98 acres. The property itself has 30 rooms, including seven bedrooms spread across the two top floors.
It also has a large drawing room, called the “formal room”, as well as a saloon. The original conservatory has been maintained.
There is also a small cottage, Y Bwthyn Bach, on the grounds of Royal Lodge, which was gifted to Princess Elizabeth as a child by the people of Wales in 1932.
Other smaller properties located on the estate include a Gardener’s Cottage, the Chapel Lodge, six Lodge Cottages, and police security accommodation.
Who lived there before?
Prior to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s family taking up residence in Royal Lodge, it was occupied by King George VI and the Queen Mother when they were still the Duke and Duchess of York.
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret spent much time at the Royal Lodge, which was used by the family as a country retreat.
In the mid-18th century, military topographer and artist Thomas Sandby lived in the house as the deputy ranger of the Great Park, granting the property the name of Deputy Ranger’s House.
Later, it was home to Joseph Frost, the park bailiff, who then became the general superintendent of farms after Sandby’s death.
George, Prince of Wales, who went on to become King George IV, used the lodge as temporary accommodation in 1812.
It was almost completely demolished, except for the conservatory, in 1830 under King William IV’s orders and rebuilt. By 1840, it was being used as accommodation for various officers of the royal household.
How much has Prince Andrew spent on it?
The former prince leased the Royal Lodge from the crown estate for a £1m one-off payment in 2003, and spent around £7.5m renovating the property in 2005.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and his family had a 75-year lease of the property,allowing them to reside there until 2078.
In 2018, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah’s younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, held her wedding reception at the Royal Lodge, after her nuptials to Jack Brooksbank took place in Windsor Castle.
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